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NBA: Ranking The League’s Top 10 Shooting Guards In 2016-17

By Gerald Bourguet

April 16, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) shoots the basketball against Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) during the first quarter in game one of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
April 16, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) shoots the basketball against Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) during the first quarter in game one of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 26, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker #1 makes a pass against the Sacramento Kings during the first half at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports /

10. Devin Booker

2015-16 Stats:  13.8 PPG, 2.6 APG, 2.5 RPG, .423/.343/.840 shooting, 12.0 PER

Homer Alert! 

In all seriousness, I understand how putting Devin Booker on this list might seem a bit mature. He’s only just about to turn 20 years old, he’s only got one season under his belt, and there are plenty of shooting guards in the honorable mentions who had far better 2015-16 campaigns.

But as much as it’s blatantly disrespectful to leave J.J. Redick and Avery Bradley off this list, as much as Evan Fournier should thrive in Orlando this year, and as much as Khris Middleton would demand a spot in the top-10 if he weren’t injured, Booker is 100 percent the real deal.

In a 23-win season for the Phoenix Suns last year, Booker was the lone bright spot. His final rookie numbers were underwhelming, but his stats in 51 games as a starter — 17.4 PPG, 3.5 APG, 3.0 RPG — were impressive for any 19-year-old. His efficiency dipped, but that was due to all the defensive attention he was getting with Eric Bledsoe, Brandon Knight, T.J. Warren and Markieff Morris — the team’s four leading scorers — all sidelined.

Booker dominated NBA Summer League, dropped 34 points in three quarters of a preseason game against the Blazers, has already replaced Knight in the starting rotation, and in another season with low expectations, should put up big numbers.

He still needs to work on his defense, but his 18-point, 8-for-12 performance in limited minutes during the Suns’ season opening blowout loss illustrates how naturally scoring comes to him. Phoenix might be terrible again, but Booker is a future All-Star who will get plenty of opportunity to make the leap in 2016-17.